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| Police say approximately 20 people have been killed inside a Florida nightclub, and at least 42 were wounded after a gunman opened fire. (June 12) AP |
ORLANDO — A heavily armed assailant opened fire in a packed nightclub early Sunday, killing 50 people in the deadliest shooting spree in U.S. history, authorities said.
Mayor Buddy Dyer said 53 people were wounded at Pulse Orlando, a gay club just south of downtown. Authorities said the massacre was being investigated as possible terrorism.
A federal law enforcement official told USA TODAY the suspect has been identified as Omar Seddique Mateen of Port St. Lucie, Fla. The suspect's father, Mir Seddique, told NBC News on Sunday that he was "in shock," but that his son had recently expressed anti-gay sentiments. He said the attack "had nothing to do with religion."
Police Chief John Mina said the tragedy began at 2:02 a.m., when three police officers engaged the suspect in a gun battle outside the club. A hostage situation then took place inside, and a SWAT team was called in, Mina said. Police received updates from patrons trapped in the club, and decided to storm the club at about 5 a.m.
"Our biggest concern was further loss of life," Mina said. "We exchanged gunfire with the suspect, and he was dead at the scene."
Mina initially estimated the death toll at more than 20 people. Hours later the true scale of the horror was revealed. Mina said one officer was wounded and at least 30 people were rescued.
"Tonight our community witnessed a horrific crime... that will have a lasting effect on our community," a solemn Dyer said.
FBI Special Agent Ronald Hopper said the case was being investigated as a possible act of terrorism, either domestic or international. It was not clear if the shooter acted alone, he said, adding that authorities were trying to determine if there was a connection with radical Islam.
"We do have suggestions that the individual may have leanings toward that particular ideology," Hopper said.
A federal law enforcement official told USA TODAY investigators were reviewing the attacker’s possible utterances to determine if he had a terrorist ideology or affiliation. The official, who did not want to be named because of the sensitivity of discussing such information, characterized the attack as “certainly’’ terrorism. It was not immediately clear whether investigators were aware of the attacker prior to the assault.
Investigators were interviewing members of Mateen’s family Sunday in an attempt to learn what may have prompted the assault, the official said. The official told USA TODAY investigators were still reviewing a range of possible motivations and Mateen’s recent travels and contacts to learn more about possible preparations for the attack.
Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for Orange County.
"You don't want this to happen anywhere in the world," Scott said. "It's devastating when you see how man people lost their lives and the impact on the families."
Muhammad Musri, president of the Islamic Society of Central Florida, thanked law enforcement officials for their efforts and cautioned any rush to judgment.
"No one could have expected this, no one could have prepared for it, it could have happened anywhere," a clearly shaken Musri said at a news conference. "It's like lightening."
He said the city and Muslim community "are heartbroken."
Mina said the gunman was armed with an assault rifle, a handgun and some sort of unidentified device. Officers from multiple agencies and dozens of emergency vehicles responded to the scene. Orange County Fire and Rescue called for gurneys to move victims from the club.
Many of the casualties were rushed to Orlando Regional Medical Center, which was placed on lockdown.
"We can confirm this is a mass casualty situation. Support from local/state/federal agencies," Orlando police tweeted about four hours after events began to unfold. Then, a short time later: "Pulse Shooting: The shooter inside the club is dead."
The White House said President Obama was getting updates on the case from Homeland Security.
Mina said there was no indication that there was more than one shooter. A bomb squad was at the scene, and police reported conducting a "controlled explosion."
Hours after the shooting, police were still trying to piece together what happened.
"Anyone who was at Pulse nightclub and was a witness please come to the Orlando Police HQ," the department tweeted. "Any information you have could aid investigators in this case."
USA Today
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